Hoda Kotb (left) and Jenna Bush Hager on the fourth hour of the Today show on Jan. 10, 2024 in New York City.Photo:NBC
NBC
Kotb, 60, departed the morning show after 17 years on the Friday, Jan. 10, episode of theTodayshow. During her final episode, Bush Hager, 43, also took a moment to bid farewell to her co-host of five years.
“I can’t believe that everybody came,” Kotb said. “This is so … Jenna and I were in the back trying to figure out how we would do this particular show and I said to something to Hayley at the very beginning. I said, ‘When you get emotional, sometimes love feels like this.’ So this is what love feels like.”
An emotional Bush Hager told Kotb how much she means to her and spoke of their special bond.
“I think what’s really amazing is we’ve had these years, and endings can be hard, and they can be so beautiful because it’s the start of something new,” Bush Hager said before asking Kotb, “How does today feel?”
Kotb said she’d been hoping for the week to slow down. “Last night I was like, I hope Friday doesn’t get here because I knew it was this particular Friday, but I think we’ve been in slow motion,” she said. “We need meds!”
Bush Hager agreed. “I’ve been desperate for some beta blockers!” she said. “Like, how can we control emotions?”
Jenna Bush Hager is pictured getting teary eyed during Today with Hoda and Jenna.NBC
Kotb didn’t think they needed to. “Just let it go man, who cares? Who cares?” the journalist said.
Bush Hager teared up again when the rest of theirTodayshow colleagues —Carson Daly,Dylan Dreyer,Willie Geist,Savannah Guthrie,Craig MelvinandAl Roker— joined them on stage, and she got emotional reading a letter she wrote to Kotb.
“Thank you Hoda for everything you have taught me, everything you’ve given me: all the hugs, all the heart all the laughs, all the love.”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on the ‘Today’ show on Nov. 1, 2021.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Later, Kotb read a letter she wrote to Bush Hager, calling their time together “the ride of a lifetime.”
“We need a Kleenex shooter!” Bush Hager joked while dabbing at tears.
Bush Hager closed out the show standing in front of theToday with Hoda & Jennacast and crew with Kotb and her daughters.
“Thanks ya’ll for believing in us,” Bush Hager said. “And Hoda, we love you!”
Ahead of Kotb’s final day, the NBC show coined a“Hoda-bration,”a celebration of Kotb’s final days with the outlet. On the Monday, Jan. 6 episode, the co-hosts were emotional throughout the week, with Bush Hager gifting Kotb a heartfelt farewell gift.
“We wanna kick off the week with a little something, and we know you love this author, Charlie Mackesy,” Bush Hager revealed. “He wroteThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.”
“That’s one of my favorite books. I love him,” Kotb interjected as Bush Hager said, “I know, and he adores you.” She revealed the British writer’s gift was a painting drawn in the same style asThe Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, which reads, “Every step you take is a victory.” He also wrote “Hoda” on the art, and signed it, “Love, Charlie.”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on December 3, 2024 on NBC’s Today Show.Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty
Bush Hager has been vocal about her sadness in losing her co-host, and in early December, she said she was in“the phase of losing Hoda called studying.”
“I’m studying Hoda at this point, and I’d like to study your behaviors tonight and see how you’ve changed,” Bush Hager said.
Bush Hager joked that she’d been going through the stages of grief since Kotb announced her plans toleave theTodayshowin September. “Denial lasted a good month. Anger was last week when I tried to make you jealous with Gayle [King],” she said. “I’ve bargained with God basically every night for the last couple months. And now, I’ve hit depression, where she says one thing and [I cry].”
Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager on Monday, January 6, 2025.Nathan Congleton/NBC
Nathan Congleton/NBC
NBC announcedon Nov. 14 thatCraig Melvinwill be replacing Kotb after she steps away. Melvin, 45, currently hosts the third hour ofTodayalongsideAl Roker,Sheinelle JonesandDylan Dreyerand will move to hosting three hours in a row, starting on Monday, Jan. 13.
Then, on Monday, Jan. 6, Bush Hagerannouncedon the air thatTaraji P. Henson,Eva LongoriaandKeke Palmerwould be a part of the rotating list ofcelebrity guests who will be stepping in to help fill the empty slot. The following day, she announced thatBlack WidowstarScarlett Johanssonwould be joining Bush Hager, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 21.
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Todayairs weekdays on NBC beginning at 7 a.m. ET.
source: people.com
